The Crusaders may be losing plenty of familiar faces next season but there's another making an unexpected return with former All Black Ryan Crotty signing on for 2024.
Crotty and the Crusaders announced the deal this morning with the Canterbury franchise delighted to bring back an "absolute rugby legend" after he spent time training with the team this year as they handled a swath of injuries.
“I have so much love for this team, it’s hard to put into words how much it means to me,” Crotty said.
The 35-year-old last played for the Crusaders in 2019 having earned 151 Super Rugby caps over 10 seasons before he took his talents to Japan to play for the Kubota Spears.
However, having been coaxed into coming back to Christchurch by family and rugby friends, Crotty brought his experience to the Canterbury NPC side this season where he played nine games.
"Japan was great, a really good experience, but it felt like time to come home. Young family life, you know, it’s so precious to spend more time with the kids – they didn’t travel with me to Japan for that last season, so I’m hugely grateful to be here," Crotty said.
"Christchurch and the Crusaders are home for me and I’m just really excited to reconnect with some special friends."
The Crusaders have lost plenty of experience for the 2024 season with the likes of Sam Whitelock, Richie Mo'unga and Leicester Fainga'anuku departing the club for overseas deals as well as coach Scott Robertson, who is taking over as All Blacks coach.
New Crusaders coach Rob Penney said Crotty was a "great pro and legend of the club" who will add to their campaign on and off the field.
"He decided the coals were still burning hot for another campaign, and we were of course very enthusiastic about him coming back into camp," Penney said.
"His knowledge, his experience, his passion for this place – it’s boundless. He’s been a cornerstone of this place for a long time, helped to form the culture we have here, and is a leader both on and off the field."
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